Homemade Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound penne or bow tie pasta

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small yellow onion (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon lemon zest

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste (optional)

3 roma tomatoes (diced for garnish)

2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves (chopped for garnish)

1 tablespoon green onions (chopped for garnish)

¼ cup shredded parmesan (for garnish)

Directions

Stove Top

Cook pasta according to package directions on the box. Drain and set aside.

Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel. Season with cajun seasoning and rub it all around.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 6 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and cover with foil.

Melt butter in the same skillet or saucepan. Add diced onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in the minced garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Whisk in heavy cream, lemon zest, and grated parmesan. Whisk for 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

For serving, add pasta and chicken to a plate or bowl. Spoon the sauce over the top, and garnish with diced tomatoes, parsley, green onions, and shredded parmesan. Enjoy immediately.

Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Season the chicken with cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add chicken and quickly sear on both sides.

Add chicken, butter, onions, garlic, heavy cream, and lemon zest to slow cooker. Stir. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Separately cook the pasta until tender.

Serve chicken and sauce over pasta with all of your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

• Calories: 932 kcal
• Total Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Cholesterol: 171 mg
• Sodium: 361 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 92 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 7 g
• Protein: 46 g